I'm trying to keep up with uploading more and more anime related tutorials because after asking ya'll what you would like to see for lessons, the top category was anime/manga or anything anime/manga related. So today I have a brand new tutorial that will show you 'how to draw anime clothes, step by step'. Once again I will go through the many ways that you can draw clothes for both your anime or manga characters that either you conjure up on your own, or you replicate from already made figures from manga books or television series. This clothing lesson will be much more detailed then the previous ones I submitted in the past which means you will get an even more helpful tutorial that will aid you to creating clothing for your figures. The main thumbnail is actually one of my favorite parts to this whole lesson because of the neon like colors I used. If you have been waiting for a submission that can show you the ins and outs, dos and donts to creating stylish clothes for your manga or anime figures, look no further because here it is. I do hope you all enjoy following this tut on drawing anime clothes. If you're in need of a website on references, check out this site for fashion clothing. I had fun so I know you will too. It feels good getting back to drawing anime again...okay, bye now!

How to Draw Anime Clothes, Draw Manga Clothes

STEP 1.

To begin this clothing tutorial, I would like to discuss the various types of bodies, and how they effect the clothes worn. Here we have three different bodies; one is stubby and chubby, the other is the average lean man, and the last is a muscular body builder. Observe carefully on how the same styles of clothes are effected by the shapes of the bodies. Notice that the stubby body has less wrinkles with slight indication of wrinkle at the tightest regions. The clothes stick to this body shape, emphasizing the features a lot more than the average body figure. Now, moving onto the middle figure, we see that there's a nice amount of wrinkles in the most active areas. The next figure, which is the muscular man, has the same application as the stubby body. The clothing sticks to most protruding part of body, which are obviously the muscles. The wrinkles are also stretched around the biggest of muscles. To further your observational skills, study lots and lots of references on how clothing effects the many varieties of bodies!

STEP 2.

It's critical to keep in mind that clothing has different effects on the female and male bodies. It's also important to know the differences and principles of drawing these opposite genders. I would suggest heading over to my "how to draw anime bodies" tutorial that will teach you very basic limits on the female and male bodies. Again, females have curvier bodies, and of course 'breasts'. Their shoulders are also softer and smaller than men. Notice how male bodies are sharper with very broad shoulders. This is because, men are built to provide for the women; which means hunting, fighting, and traveling requires strength and endurance. Again, reference and observe!

STEP 3.

I get a lot of people asking me, "Where do I draw wrinkles? How do I know where to place them". This tip will give you a break down of knowing where exactly to place wrinkles. Typically, wrinkles will occur whenever there is 'force' on the clothing. Meaning, if someone is bending, the jointed areas, will have wrinkles appear. This is because the activity in this specific area will cause the fabric to crinkle up, becoming tightened and loose in that area. Remember, clothes are being 'worn' not 'glued' to the body. Whenever someone moves, the clothes will move with the body.

STEP 4.

Here's just an example of what I mean. Look at the correct way of drawing wrinkles on a bent arm, opposed to the wrong way. The correct way would be to draw them in the creases of where the clothing is resting, or where there was intense active movement. Of course, the shoulder will have lots of movement, therefore, the wrinkles will be drawn at the upper edge of the bicep.

STEP 5.

Here's another example of where wrinkles will appear if someone is extending their arm upwards, working that shoulder area. Look at how the shirt flows with the shape of the body; the breasts, the waist, and of course, the shoulders. I should also point out, that when a body is arched upwards like this, the shoulder line becomes altered in a slant.

STEP 6.

This tip is going to be brief, mainly because I don't want to exceed the step limit. When you're drawing folds (to the right), you will want to draw the overlapping fold first. Afterwards, you can progress with drawing the layers beneath it. It's important to understand that folds are fabrics that overlap each other. Try to establish yourself with a foundation of knowing the direction of the fold. I would suggest studying tons of references on clothing to improve your mentally visual arsenal.

STEP 7.

Here's a few variations of clothing styles for men. I've taken all the information from above and rendered just a few of the thousands of styles of clothes you can draw your characters with. I've drawn (from right to left) formal wear, informal wear, basic wear, and spunky casual wear. Know that clothing reflects your character. It's critical to know your character from the inside out in order to create a symbolic clothing style to reflect the character. Get fashion magazines and study all the unique styles and trends. Keep references of cloth styles from online, saved in a folder on your computer. Remember, references is one of the corner stones to support your artistic abilities.

STEP 8.

Because drawing collars used to be difficult for me, I wanted to give you a very easy way to draw them. A dress shirt collar is basically a piece of fabric folded over. You'll want to draw the outline of the upper shape of the collar, and then the pieces beneath that fold over. I know this guy looks like Slenderman...

STEP 9.

Here's a few feminine collar styles that's seen in everyday fashion. Look at how each set of clothing has an effect of the person's character. Remember what I said about the clothes reflects your character!

STEP 10.

This step is for those that plan to draw a character with an intention clothing design, and want to shade/color their artwork. Remember that the direction will effect the shadows and reflective light on an object. Where ever your light source is hitting, that's what will indicate your highlights, shadows and reflective light.

STEP 11.

So for the first step all you have to do is draw out the body's pose which also includes the lines of motion. Make the head, torso (which is heart shaped), and then the lining for the torso and facial guides.

STEP 12.

Draw out the actual shape of the female models face, then draw in the one hair piece that will be the foundation part of the hairstyle.

STEP 13.

Now that the face shape is drawn in, we can tackle the face itself. Start with drawing the thick, or bold lining for her top lid lines along with the pointed lashes. Once that is done you can make the actual shapes of her eyes, as well as the thin lining for the eyebrows, nose and mouth. I'm not really trying to focus on the face or model since the lesson is all about the clothing.

STEP 14.

Now we will tackle the task of getting the rest or most of the hairstyle drawn out. Since one of the big styles going around today is the grungy type of style where one side of the head is shaved, I thought I would make her hair that same way. Draw the flopped over hair, then draw the length which is resting on her shoulder. Add the detailing to her hair, then draw in the ear as well as the definition inside of the ear.

STEP 15.

Next up, we are getting closer to finishing this tutorial. All you have to do here is draw out the shape of her neck, then draw out the shoulders, along with the arms, torso, and breasts shapes.

STEP 16.

Draw out the hour glass figure like so, then add some definition along the sides of her chest, waist, and belly.

STEP 17.

So since this is a clothing lesson, I didn't want to draw her wearing too many clothes so all I will do is make a simple sports bra like top. But before we get to that, let's finish drawing out the rest of her hairstyle like so, then draw out her bust, straps, and then the stretched detailing on her chest. Erase the mistakes then you're done.

STEP 18.

With everything drawn from the previous steps, you should have something very similar to this. I hope you guys enjoyed this lesson, I certainly had fun making it (despite all the efforts put into the tips). Join me next time, folks!

STEP 19.

Here's what my finished coloring on this anime chick came out like. I got inspiration from a clothing place called 'LumiGram' which sells optical clothing for clubbing or decorations (spiffy stuff!). I hope you guys have learned and enjoyed this lesson! Maybe I'll do a coloring tutorial in the future, let me know in the comments and I'll totally consider it :)

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